Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.
DAILY READING
Son of David
by Tom Richards
Luke 3:21-37
Today we read about Jesus’ baptism and a record of his genealogy. There are lots of names here and I admit to skimming past them in most of my previous readings. But since this is our reading for the day (and I have been asked to write about itJ), here are some observations:
Matthew 1 – A similar list of names can be found in Matthew 1, similar, but not identical. Why the lists and why the differences? Matthew’s gospel is believed to have been written to Greek speaking Jews. Most scholars believe Matthew is tracing Jesus’ lineage through Joseph. This would be his “legal” lineage in the eyes of the Jews.
Luke 3:21-37
Today we read about Jesus’ baptism and a record of his genealogy. There are lots of names here and I admit to skimming past them in most of my previous readings. But since this is our reading for the day (and I have been asked to write about itJ), here are some observations:
Matthew 1 – A similar list of names can be found in Matthew 1, similar, but not identical. Why the lists and why the differences? Matthew’s gospel is believed to have been written to Greek speaking Jews. Most scholars believe Matthew is tracing Jesus’ lineage through Joseph. This would be his “legal” lineage in the eyes of the Jews.
Luke’s gospel was written to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3), but essentially to all believers, Jew and Greek (gentile) alike. Many scholars believe Luke is tracing Jesus’ lineage through Mary. This seems to make sense when you read verse 23 where Luke states: “He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph.”
Abraham vs. Adam – Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage to Abraham, the father of the Jews. Luke traces Jesus’ lineage to Adam, the father of humankind. This makes sense if you consider that Matthew was a Jew writing to Jews and Luke was likely a gentile writing to Theophilus, a man of high standing and possibly a Roman official – a gentile. (As a gentile I am thankful for Luke’s version!)
Son of David – For Jews, the purity of one’s lineage was critical. Jesus was fulfilling prophecy every step of his life. The term “Son of David” was a messianic title. Tracing his lineage to David (and Abraham) was key to his identity as the promised Messiah, critical to Jews and gentiles alike. Luke references this lineage in Luke 1:32-33 where he quotes the angel’s words to Mary: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Abraham vs. Adam – Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage to Abraham, the father of the Jews. Luke traces Jesus’ lineage to Adam, the father of humankind. This makes sense if you consider that Matthew was a Jew writing to Jews and Luke was likely a gentile writing to Theophilus, a man of high standing and possibly a Roman official – a gentile. (As a gentile I am thankful for Luke’s version!)
Son of David – For Jews, the purity of one’s lineage was critical. Jesus was fulfilling prophecy every step of his life. The term “Son of David” was a messianic title. Tracing his lineage to David (and Abraham) was key to his identity as the promised Messiah, critical to Jews and gentiles alike. Luke references this lineage in Luke 1:32-33 where he quotes the angel’s words to Mary: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
We see this again in Luke 18:38-39 when Jesus heals the blind beggar: “He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus genealogy was extremely important as he would face doubters of his true identity throughout his ministry beginning in his hometown in Luke 4. He continues to face doubters today. But for those who believe those questions have long been answered.
Father, thank-you for the detail that is included in your word, including our reading for today. And thank you that we are your children because of Jesus, the son of Joseph, the son of Mary, the Son of David, the son of Abraham, the son of Adam, the Son of God! Amen.
Jesus genealogy was extremely important as he would face doubters of his true identity throughout his ministry beginning in his hometown in Luke 4. He continues to face doubters today. But for those who believe those questions have long been answered.
Father, thank-you for the detail that is included in your word, including our reading for today. And thank you that we are your children because of Jesus, the son of Joseph, the son of Mary, the Son of David, the son of Abraham, the son of Adam, the Son of God! Amen.
